Japanese Netsuke

by Julia Hutt

Drawing on the Victoria and Albert Museum's fine collection, Japanese Netsuke examines these appealing, accessible, and often humorous works of art in the broadest possible context. In a text that is both comprehensive and entertaining, Julia Hutt traces the history of netsuke, showing how these highly collectible objects originated from belt hangings used by nomads along the Silk Road. The stunning color photographs reveal the full range of subjects portrayed-images of animals, birds, and sea creatures, portraits of dancers and demons, droll cameos of characters from everyday urban life, even a rare poetic evocation of landscape-and the high level of skill involved in their creation. The richness and diversity of the materials used, as well as the different sources of inspiration, are also discussed, providing an indispensable guide for collectors and all those interested in Japanese decorative arts.

Genres: Japan, Art, Nonfiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[E. G.]

Foreword, by Edmund de Waal

--Japanese Netsuke

Chronologies
Acknowledgements
Glossary
Select Bibliography
Index

[Alan]

Well detailed text about netsuke with a good amount of illustrations. Photos are good size and quality. Would have liked to have seen various angles and more focus on individual netsuke designs and their meaning.

[Peter Ellwood]

Lovely introduction to the world of netsuke carving. The text is most informative, the illustrations (of pieces from the V&A collection) are beautiful.